Page 14 of The Mafia's Vendetta

He pulled off his shirt and watched her eyes slide over him before she blushed and looked away.

She looked confused.“No.I don’t like being this thin.”

“Good.I’ll make sure you eat several times a day.”

She wrapped her arms around her waist and stayed silent.

Her whole body jerked at the knock on the door.“You have nothing to fear here.You’re safe.”

He could tell she didn’t believe him, but he planned to keep saying it until she did.

Drew opened the door and reached for the tray the maid was holding.“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, sir.”

Drew closed and locked the door before putting the tray on the table in front of one of the windows.

“Come here and eat while I take a shower, and then you can take yours.”

She still stood across the room, not moving.

“If you need help, I can do that, but then I’d have to put my hands on you.Is that what you want, Sweetheart?”

That endearment surprised her, and he’d find out why later.He had enough of a fight on his hands at the moment.Drew waited for her to sit.

She slowly walked over to the table, trying to stay as far away from him as possible.He rolled his eyes when she sat still and straight with her hands in her lap, waiting for him to leave.

“Eat as much as you can.And don’t try to escape.The house is surrounded by my people, and they won’t let you get out of the house.”He turned and walked into the bathroom.He caught her looking at him when he turned.He didn’t see any fear in her eyes, so he’d take that as a good sign.

He breathed a sigh of relief after the door closed.Jesus, it would be tough having to lay beside her in bed.Even with the ugly clothing and hair dyed and twisted on top of her head, he could see her bone structure and the exotic tilt of her blue eyes.

He’d already seen her naked and with her hair down, but being this close to her made it even better than over a video.Very soon, he would go over her naked body and find every scar she’d received, and then she’d tell him who did it so he could kill the bastard.

Drew stripped the rest of his clothing before stepping in under the water.His eyes closed as the heat seeped into his pores.He wished he could describe how he felt having her just feet apart in his home.It was good, but it was an emotion he’d never experienced before.

Chapter Eight

Nala waited until the door closed before she studied the platter.When they had first come into the room, her thoughts were filled with ways she could leave, but now, knowing there was no way out, at least at the moment, she had relaxed enough to be able to eat.

There were different kinds of fruit, cheese, crackers, cookies, and a carafe of cold water.She couldn’t remember ever seeing anything so wonderful in her life.She ate half the fruit and several cheese and crackers.She poured herself a glass of water and hummed when she took a drink.How was it that everything tasted better?Even the water.She set her glass down when she heard the shower turn off.

She was full for the first time in a long time and questioned herself about eating that much.She was in a situation she had no control over and still had no idea who the man was.The food made her feel sluggish and sleepy, but she needed to stay alert if she had to fight him off.He’d told her she could call Newman in the morning, but that was several hours away.

He expected her to get naked and shower with him close by, and she didn’t know if that was possible.

Her attention jerked to the bathroom door when it opened.The breath caught in her throat when she saw he only had silky sleep pants on.

“Can’t you put on more clothing?”she asked.

He sat down on the chair across from her and grinned.“You’re lucky I have this much on.”He popped a bite of fruit into his mouth.“I left some towels by the shower and a shirt you can wear tonight.I’ll get you more tomorrow.Shower, and then when you’re done, we can brush our teeth and go to bed.”

Nala looked around and bit down her lip.“Where will I sleep?”

“With me.”

Her stomach tightened enough to make her regret eating as much as she did.“Why?”

One of his eyebrows rose.“Because that’s where I want you.”

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